Day #4 in Paris...Reflection and Culture!!

Day #4 in Paris...Well as we wind it down, it has truly been a joyous day. Woke to a wonderful breakfast, went to some of the street markets and explored the city, and then had an AMAZING brunch with The Hill's!! Nothing like sharing the day with family & friends after a great wedding.

Déjeuner (Brunch) with The Hills at le Mesturet restaurant. The menu included grilled eggplant with tomato and fresh goat's cheese as an entrée/starter, grilled swordfish over a bed of grilled eggplant for plat/main course, and Charlotte aux fraises (Strawberry Charlotte with a red berry coulis)!! Mmmm delicious! French cuisine at its finest! 

It's all very fitting how my cousin and her husband would wed in Paris, with both of them being heavy into the arts (Quan in film and Will in music), it was a natural blending of the artistic cultures. And the fact that Paris is one of the world's leading business and cultural centers; entertainment, music, media, fashion, and the arts...it was simply PERFECT!!

Amazing how when you step back and soak up what the city has to offer your mind will be blown! I would also find it fascinating the values of the French...put it like this Paris is very much a "Free and Open City"...and here's what I mean:
a) The expression "chauvinism" originated in France and while women are playing a greater role in family life and business, many still see it as a male-dominated culture.
b) The French embody romance and passion, and there is an open attitude toward sex outside of marriage. Even the country’s top politicians have been known to carry out extramarital affairs without making an effort to conceal them. As a reflection of the country’s secular nature, about half of children are born to unmarried couples. (very interesting...)
c) The French embrace style and sophistication and take pride in the fact that even their public spaces strike a regal tone.
d) The French believe in "égalité," which means equality, and is part of the country’s motto: "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité." Many say they place a higher importance on equality than liberty and fraternity, the other two words in the motto.
e) And my personal fave ...Food and wine are central to life at all socioeconomic levels, and much socializing is done around lengthy dinners.

Why yes I'll take some Espresso, with a piece of Chocolat Napolitain!!

Needless to say there is truly a diverse, rich, and unique culture in Paris!! Nothing wrong with that my friends! So all in all, today was a good day!!

Till next time, stay tuned for the last deets in Paris on tomorrow.
~La Femme Noire en Paris

"Till next time...Stay tuned for the next adventure!!" ~Brooklyn Assata, WST

Day #3 in Paris

Part 1: Today is all about Faith, Love, and Joy in the city of Paris (I mean it is the city of love right?!!). Got to see the Notre Dame, cross over the Pont Neuf and Pont de Arts, ate some amazing crepes (nutella and bananas)....and tonight I will be able to witness an occasion of love between my cousin Quan Lateef and her future husband and soon-to-be my cousin [too :-)] Willard Hill !! 

Nothing like that Black Love!!

Got to visit Pont des Arts and Pont Neuf where there is a sea of "love locks"!! It's so disheartening that some municipal folks in Paris are trying to get rid of this undying symbol of love! Just looking at all of them gave me a little piece of love that I will always cherish and take back with me. #paris #love #locksoflove #quanandwillardwedding

Notre Dame Cathedral 

Stay tuned for Part 2!! Much Love!!

Part 2: Let me just I am truly blessed to have an opportunity to travel the world and see all the sights that the world has to offer. I truly appreciate being able to explore the beauties of the world while still on this great Earth. 

So today's adventure (as mentioned earlier) included viewing a well-known landmark in Paris the wall of "love locks" on the Pont des Arts & Pont Neuf bridge. And for over 6 years there have been almost 3,000 padlocks of all shapes, colors and sizes locked to the bridges and emblazoned with messages of eternal love. Just looking and adding my own lock of love was truly a moment to remember! (Even got to see a red lock that had DST on it). And to think there are several folks who are trying to get rid of these locks and destroy the love. Also note that the Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris. At one time this bridge would be the center many crimes, executions, commerce trades, and now a site of passion and love. (see above picture)

Next I would visit the Notre Dame, such a beautiful piece of architecture! To date, Notre Dame is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world. Many weddings would be officiated here, of course we know the novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame would have its basis here. (see above picture)

Also I would get an opportunity to sit and soak in the spirit of some great ancestors at the Cafe de Flore. At this cafe, some of the greatest African American intellectuals spent hours debating, like writer Richard Wright who would have heated discussions with other intellectuals like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir in the famous literary cafe hotspots, Cafe de Flore and Deux Magots. Blossoming, new ideas from these enlightening discussions would be injected into future novels and essays with a more global outlook. (Maybe I need to take an extended stay just to get my intellectual juices flowing!)

And before I let you go, here are just a few other facts for today:
-Anna Julia Cooper at age 67 would earn her PhD at the Sorbonne in 1925 (a true testament of reaching the highest of goals can be attained at any time in life!)
-As we know, Paris was the center of the art universe at the turn of the 20th century. Students of all nationalities flocked to the new art schools that took the overflow from the University of Paris' Faculty of Fine Arts in St. Germain-des-Pres behind the Louvre. Philadelphian African American artist Henry Ossawa Turner (who would be kicked out of a US art school because of his race) would create prize-winning paintings, like 'The Rising of Lazarus' and became a beacon of exceptional talent as his work adorned the hallowed walls of the Louvre in Paris during the early 1900s.

And finally let me just say it was truly a pleasure and honor to take part in the wedded bliss of Quan and Will!! This was a ceremony that brought me to tears, made me laugh, and even get on the dance floor!! May there be a lifetime of happiness and joy for you both!!

Let's just say "Love was in the air!"

"Till next time...Stay tuned for the next adventure!!" ~Brooklyn Assata, WST

Day #2 in Paris ...Black Paris Tour

DAY 2 in Paris: Ok so today's post I am SUPER excited about! Today was like taking a journey through time in "Black Paris". And since there was sooooo much knowledge dropped today, I'm going to give you some Little Known Black Paris History facts...Alrighty ma famile et mes amies (my family & friends) you ready?? Here we go!!

1) Alexander Dumas' father Thomas Alexander (aka Black Count) would bea General in the French Army and was considered the "Colin Powell" of his time. Under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte when France went to war against Haiti, Alexander would refuse to fight against his fellow French countrymen in Haiti and Toussaint Louverture (Brotherman said I can't fight against my people!!)

2) Josephine Baker, legendary entertainer, would become a millionaire at 19 in Paris, bought a first of many homes/mansions (one currently worth 16 MILLION EUROS), was a trained and licensed pilot (taught by Bessie Smith), joined the French resistance and became a French spy (she would also be the ONLY WOMAN to be given a 'Head of State' memorial at her funeral), was known as the "Black Venus", and she would adopt 12 children (who would be called her Rainbow Tribe, 10 boys and 2 girls, a mixture of all different races and cultures)...Baker truly embraced the meaning of being an activist and what it means to get and give back!! Basically sista girl had it going on so many levels LONG before Beyonce and Angelina Jolie!!

3) While Sally Hemmings and Thomas Jefferson resided in Paris she demanded, required, and received a salary and a tutor to teach both her and her brother French!! Makes you wonder who was really in control there!

4) Napoleon Bonaparte would use/borrow/steal (pick one or all) strategies from the great warrior Hannibal (and try to claim them as his own)!!

5) The University of Paris Sorbonne would be HEAVILY inspired by the University of Timbuktu in Mali.

6) W.E.B. DuBois would show one of the largest exhibition World Shows in Paris showcasing the work (in a positive light) of Black people!

7) The city of Paris (Parisii) is believed to have been named this because of a group of individuals (a tribe to be exact) that came in 300 BC who had a great love and appreciation for Black women and who worshiped the god of Isis. The name is meant to have some meanings to "another type of love"!!

8) On the low tip, Albert Einstein was known to hang out with some of the great minds of the Harlem Renaissance (Claude McKay, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, etc.), he would recognize and acknowledge that Black folks were truly gifted and brilliant!

9) There were and have always been this connection to the continent of Africa as there were African Heads of State and many others in position of poer! (Paris and Africa are merely separated by the Mediterranean Sea)

10) In 1943, Selma Burke an African American artist/sculptor trained in Paris, would create the bust of Franklin Delano Roosevelt that is the primary basis of the American dime ($0.10)!! 

11) One of the main reasons the famous painting the 'Mona Lisa' would become famous was due to Nat King Cole and his rendition of the song "Mona Lisa Smile". This would be the top song INTERNATIONALLY during that time!!

12) And some current facts...French politician Christiane Taubira (who is the French version of Eric Holder, with a signature look of wearing corn rolls) a SISTA is well known for her fighting for reparations in France and someone who lawyers are VERY afraid of, folks don't mess with her! 

Sooooo I know this was a lot but I just had to share!! Put it like this folks I got my share of Black History and so much more!! I am VERY grateful to have obtained this knowledge and definitely pass it on to others! This is info that folks need to know!! 

Stay tuned for tomorrow's journey!! ~La Femme Noire en Paris (A Black Woman in Paris)

This morning's breakfast!! Fresh croissants and cheeses, sweet pastries, cafe au lait, fresh squeezed mango juice!! Mmmmm good!! #spoiledfoodie #morningbreakfast

Enjoying the sights of the legendary Josephine Baker's mansion in Le Vesinet, France. #vacaymode #BlackParis #BlackVenus

Chateau de Monte Cristo home of the prolific Black French writer Alexander Dumas (Three Musketeers, The Man with the Iron Mask, The Count of Monte Cristo, and 250 more books!!) #blackparis #genuiswiththepen#LeVesinet

Mid-day snack...Fruit and Ginger Beer!!! Those that know me, know I LOVE me some Ginger Beer!! #paris #vacaymode

Another view of the amazing Eiffel Tower !! #paris #vacaymode#quanandwillwedding

Our visit to the world famous "Louvre" museum. #paris #vacaymode#quanandwillwedding

Reflection Mode! #paris #vacaymode #louvre

In the middle of what is considered "Black Paris" and where the majority of Black French live...This is also a place where such greats as Malcolm X, W.E.B. DuBois and Mary McCleod Bethune would give talks and speeches. These pics here are several monuments honoring the legacy of Alexander Dumas (father, son, and grandson)! One of the most powerful monuments is the picture at the top right , which symbolized being Black and being free from the shackles!! The last image is pretty cool too, one Dumas' characters in his books Dartagnan is seated at the bottom behind Dumas representing how he got his back always!! 

Gotta love our history!! #blackparis#alexanderdumas #threemusketeers #quanandwillwedding

One of the neighborhoods where Richard Wright, Gordon Parks, James Baldwin, and Josephine Baker lived! Langston Hughes would also frequent this area!! #blackparis #vacaymode

"Till next time...Stay tuned for the next adventure!!" ~Brooklyn Assata, WST

Day #1 in Paris...

With this being my second time coming to this great city, it is truly a pleasure to just soak in all the goodness of what Paris has to offer! Blessed to have an opportunity to be with family and friends, and at the same time experience another culture and all its richness!! 

Well tomorrow folks stayed tuned and journey with me as I experience the "Black Paris" tour, and for those that know me, I'm sure I will have a many a story to tell.

Family, Friends, Food, and Fun!! 

In "Second Heaven" right now!! Sweets, Treats, and Vino!!

When in Paris do as the Parisians do!! Sipping on the French wine!!

"Till next time...Stay tuned for the next adventure!!" ~Brooklyn Assata, WST

Allow me to introduce myself...Brooklyn Assata, WST

Greetings Good People!!

So I have yet another blog venture that I have been meaning to take up for quite some time. And I figure while I am here in Paris I would go ahead and start it up.

As many of you all know I love to travel whether it's for school (research), pleasure, random trips, etc. and I always document my adventures, so I figured I would include those posts in a blog format. I would always post on Facebook and get great feedback, so I wanted to expand my horizons just a little bit!

It always excites me to post all the new information that I obtain, nothing like sharing with the masses...posts, pictures, and maybe even some video! Why not journey with me through the blogsphere, and maybe one day you might take a trip and explore all that this world has to offer. So come journey with me!

And as each journey comes to close I will make sure to leave you with this closing thought...

"Till next time...Stay tuned for the next adventure!!" ~Brooklyn Assata, WST